Masked Hunter Nymph (Dust Bug)
Scientific Name: Reduvius personatus
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Reduviidae (Assassin Bugs)
Size: Nymphs are typically 5 to 13 mm in length, depending on age; adults are 17–22 mm.
Natural Habitat
Found indoors in attics, basements, and dusty corners; outdoors in hollow trees or woodpiles. They prefer dry environments where their prey resides.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous predator. Feeds on small arthropods like bed bugs, silverfish, woodlice, earwigs, and spiders.
Behavior Patterns
The nymph has a sticky abdomen and legs that accumulate dust, lint, sand, and other debris from its environment. This acts as effective camouflage, making it look like a walking dust bunny. They are generally nocturnal ambush predators.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits: Useful natural pest control because they eat nuisance insects like bed bugs. Risks: While they do not attack humans to feed, they can inflict a very painful defensive bite if handled or threatened.
Identified on: 2/25/2026